AU2010200336A1

AU2010200336A1 - Compositions comprising Neisseria meningitidis antigens from serogroups B and C as well as a further antigen

Info

Publication number: AU2010200336A1
Application number: AU2010200336A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Marzia Monica Giuliani; Mariagrazia Pizza; Rino Rappuoli
Original assignee: Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics SRL; Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Inc
Current assignee: GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SA
Priority date: 1999-11-29
Filing date: 2010-01-29
Publication date: 2010-02-18
Anticipated expiration: 2020-11-29
Also published as: JP2003514868A; NZ529213A; MXPA02005322A; CN1507916A; RU2508122C2; CA2392880C; WO2001037863A2; CY1109202T1; AU2010200336B2; RU2009105117A; US9636393B2; JP2016041752A; NZ519608A; RU2002117307A; JP5670003B2; RU2361609C2; AU1878501A; EP1902726A3; EP1902726A2; US20050074450A1

Abstract

International patent application WO99/61053 discloses immunogenic compositions that comprise N.meningitidis serogroup C oligosaccharide conjugated to a carrier, in combination with N.meningitidis serogroup B outer membrane protein. These are disclosed in the present application in combination with further Neisserial proteins and/or protective antigens against other pathogenic organisms ( e.g. Haemophilus influenzae, DTP, HBV, etc .).

Description

I AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 A L FB RICE & CO Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics S. r. . COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: Compositions comprising Neisseria meningitidis antigens from serogroups B and C as well as a further antigen The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to us:- 2 COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING NEISSERIA MENINGITIDIS ANTIGENS FROM SEROGROUPS B AND C AS WELL AS A FURTHER ANTIGEN RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a divisional application under S.79B of the Patents Act 1990 of Australian 5 Patent Application No. 2006202664, which is a divisional application of Australian Patent No. 784375 filed November 29, 2000 which corresponds to International Patent Application No. PCT/1B00/01940 in the Australian national phase and claims priority from United Kingdom Patent Application No. 9928196.6 filed November 29, 1999. The contents of each of the foregoing applications is hereby incorporated in its entirety by way of reference into this 10 divisional application. TECHNICAL FIELD This invention is in the field of immunogenic compositions, more particularly those comprising combinations of immunogenic molecules from Neisseria meningitidis serogroups B and C 15 (NmB and NmC). BACKGROUND ART Serogroup B and C strains of Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) together account for the majority of invasive diseases in Europe and the United States. Vaccines against individual Nm serogroups 20 are presently available. The NmB vaccine from the Norwegian National Institute of Public Health is safe, elicits strain-specific immunity in children and adults, and is efficacious in preventing NmB disease in adolescents. This vaccine has typically been combined with meningococcal C polysaccharide vaccine and given with alum. The plain polysaccharide vaccine component, however, is not effective in infants and young children. The Chiron NmC 25 conjugate (conj.) vaccine is also safe, elicits high titres of serum bactericidal antibody in infants vaccinated as young as two and three months of age, and induces immunologic B cell memory to the unconjugated NmC polysaccharide. To provide a combination vaccine for NmB and NmC which induces an immune response to both serogroups, international patent application W099/61053 discloses immunogenic 30 compositions that comprise (a) NmC oligosaccharide conjugated to a carrier, in combination with (b) NmB outer membrane protein. The combination vaccine induces an immune response to both serogroups that is not significantly different from the immune response induced by each serogroup alone. In one example, the present invention provides compositions that induce immune responses against a wider variety of organisms. 35 3 DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising (a) NmC oligosaccharide and (b) NmB outer membrane protein, and (c) one or more antigens or proteins selected from the group consisting of: 5 a the proteins disclosed in W099/57280 incorporated herein by reference or immunogenic fragments thereof; e the proteins disclosed in W099/36544 incorporated herein by reference or immunogenic fragments thereof; e the proteins disclosed in W099/24578 incorporated herein by reference or immunogenic 10 fragments thereof; * the proteins disclosed in W097/28273 incorporated herein by reference or immunogenic fragments thereof; 0 the proteins disclosed in W096/29412 incorporated herein by reference or immunogenic fragments thereof; 15 e the proteins disclosed in W095/03413 incorporated herein by reference or immunogenic fragments thereof; e the proteins disclosed in W099/31132 incorporated herein by reference or immunogenic fragments thereof; e a protective antigen against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A; 20 e a protective antigen against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup Y; e a protective antigen against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W; e a protective antigen against Haemophilus influenzae; e a protective antigen against pneumococcus; * a protective antigen against diphtheria; 25 e a protective antigen against tetanus; e a protective antigen against whooping cough; e a protective antigen against Helicobacter pylori; * a protective antigen against polio; and/or * a protective antigen against hepatitis B virus. 30 The subject matter claimed in Australian Patent No. 784375 is disclaimed. As well as inducing an immune response to both N.meningitidis B and C, the immunogenic compositions of the invention can induce an immune response against further organisms.

4 In one example, the present invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising (a) NmC oligosaccharide and (b) NmB outer membrane protein, characterised in that the composition also comprises (c) one or more proteins disclosed in W099/57280 or an immunogenic fragment thereof. For example, a protein disclosed in W099/57280 may be a 5 protein comprising or having an amino acid sequence as disclosed in W099/57280 selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 148, 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, 10 162, 164, 166, 168, 170, 172, 174, 176, 178, 180, 182, 184, 186, 188, 190, 192, 194, 196, 198, 200,202,204,206,208,210,212,214,216,218,220,222,224,226,228,230,232,234,236, 238,240,242,244,246,248,250,252,254,256,258,260,262,264,266,268,270,272,274, 276,278,280,282,284,286,288,290,292,294,296,298,300, 302, 304,306, 308,310, 312, 314, 316, 318, 320, 322, 324, 326,328,330, 332, 334, 336,338, 340, 342, 344, 346,348, 350, 15 352, 354, 356, 358, 360, 362, 364,366,368, 370, 372, 374,376, 378, 380, 382, 384,386, 388, 390, 392, 394, 396, 398,400,402,404,406,408,410,412,414,416,418,420,422,424,426, 428,430,432,434,436,438,440,442,444,446,448,450,452,454,456,458,460,462,464, 466,468,470,472,474,476,478,480,482,484,486,488,490,492,494,496,498,500, 502, 504, 506, 508,510, 512, 514, 516,518,520, 522, 524, 526,528, 530,532, 534, 536,538, 540, 20 542, 544, 546,548, 550, 552,554,556,558, 560, 562, 564,566, 568,570, 572, 574,576,578, 580, 582, 584,586, 588, 590,592,594,596, 598, 600, 602,604, 606, 608, 610, 612,614, 616, 618, 620, 622,624, 626, 628, 630,632,634, 636, 638, 640,642, 644, 646, 648, 650,652, 654, 656, 658, 660, 662, 664, 666, 668, 670,672, 674, 676, 678,680, 682,684, 686, 688,690,692, 694, 696, 698,700, 702,704,706,708,710, 712,714,716,718,720,722, 724,726,728,730, 25 732, 734, 736,738, 740, 742,744,746,748, 750, 752,754,756,758,760,762,764,766,768, 770, 772, 774,776,778, 780,782,784,786, 788,790,792,794,796,798, 800, 802,804,806, 808, 810, 812, 814, 816, 818, 820,822,824, 826, 828, 830,832, 834,836, 838, 840,842,844, 846, 848, 850, 852, 854, 856, 858,860,862, 864, 866, 868,870, 872,874, 876, 878,880, 882, 884, 886, 888,890, 892, 894,896,898,900, 902, 904, 906,908, 910, 912, 914,916,918, 920, 30 922, 924, 926,928, 930, 932,934, 936,938, 940, 942, 944,946, 948, 950,952, 954,956, 958, 960, 962, 964,966, 968, 970,972, 974,976, 978, 980, 982,984,986, 988,990,992,994, 996, 998, 1000, 1002, 1004, 1006, 1008, 1010, 1012, 1014, 1016, 1018, 1020, 1022, 1024, 1026, 1028, 1030, 1032, 1034, 1036, 1038, 1040, 1042, 1044, 1046, 1048, 1050, 1052, 1054, 1056, 1058, 1060, 1062, 1064, 1066, 1068, 1070, 1072, 1074, 1076, 1078, 1080, 1082, 1084, 1086, 35 1088, 1090, 1092, 1094, 1096, 1098, 1100, 1102, 1104, 1106, 1108, 1110, 1112, 1114, 1116, 1118, 1120, 1122, 1124, 1126, 1128, 1130, 1132, 1134, 1136, 1138, 1140, 1142, 1144, 1146, 1148, 1150, 1152, 1154, 1156, 1158, 1160, 1162, 1164, 1166, 1168, 1170, 1172, 1174, 1176, 1178, 1180, 1182, 1184, 1186, 1188, 1190, 1192, 1194, 1196, 1198, 1200, 1202, 1204, 1206, 5 1208, 1210, 1212, 1214, 1216, 1218, 1220, 1222, 1224, 1226, 1228, 1230, 1232, 1234, 1236, 1238, 1240, 1242, 1244, 1246, 1248, 1250, 1252, 1254, 1256, 1258, 1260, 1262, 1264, 1266, 1268, 1270, 1272, 1274, 1276, 1278, 1280, 1282, 1284, 1286, 1288, 1290, 1292, 1294, 1296, 1298, 1300, 1302, 1304, 1306, 1308, 1310, 1312, 1314, 1316, 1318, 1320, 1322, 1324, 1326, 5 1328, 1330, 1332, 1334, 1336, 1338, 1340, 1342, 1344, 1346, 1348, 1350, 1352, 1354, 1356, 1358, 1360, 1362, 1364, 1366, 1368, 1370, 1372, 1374, 1376, 1378, 1380, 1382, 1384, 1386, 1388, 1390, 1392, 1394, 1396, 1398, 1400, 1402, 1404, 1406, 1408, 1410, 1412, 1414, 1416, 1418, 1420, 1422, 1424, 1426, 1428, 1430, 1432, 1434, 1436, 1438, 1440, 1442, 1444, 1446, 1448, 1450, 1452, 1454, 1456, 1458, 1460, 1462, 1464, 1466, 1468, 1470, 1472, 1474, 1476, 10 1478, 1480, 1482, 1484, 1486, 1488, 1490, 1492, 1494, 1496, 1498, 1500, 1502, 1504, 1506, 1508, 1510, 1512, 1514, 1516, 1518, 1520, 1522, 1524, 1526, 1528, 1530, 1532, 1534, 1536, 1538, 1540, 1542, 1544, 1546, 1548, 1550, 1552, 1554, 1556, 1558, 1560, 1562, 1564, 1566, 1568, 1570, 1572, 1574, 1576, 1578, 1580, 1582, 1584, 1586, 1588, 1590, 1592, 1594, 1596, 1598, 1600, 1602, 1604, 1606, 1608, 1610, 1612, 1614, 1616, 1618, 1620, 1622, 1624, 1626, 15 1628, 1630, 1632, 1634, 1636, 1638, 1640, 1642, 1644, 1646, 1648, 1650, 1652, 1654, 1656, 1658, 1660, 1662, 1664, 1666, 1668, 1670, 1672, 1674, 1676, 1678, 1680, 1682, 1684, 1686, 1688, 1690, 1692, 1694, 1696, 1698, 1700, 1702, 1704, 1706, 1708, 1710, 1712, 1714, 1716, 1718, 1720, 1722, 1724, 1726, 1728, 1730, 1732, 1734, 1736, 1738, 1740, 1742, 1744, 1746, 1748, 1750, 1752, 1754, 1756, 1758, 1760, 1762, 1764, 1766, 1768, 1770, 1772, 1774, 1776, 20 1778, 1780, 1782, 1784, 1786, 1788, 1790, 1792, 1794, 1796, 1798, 1800, 1802, 1804, 1806, 1808, 1810, 1812, 1814, 1816, 1818, 1820, 1822, 1824, 1826, 1828, 1830, 1832, 1834, 1836, 1838, 1840, 1842, 1844, 1846, 1848, 1850, 1852, 1854, 1856, 1858, 1860, 1862, 1864, 1866, 1868, 1870, 1872, 1874, 1876, 1878, 1880, 1882, 1884, 1886, 1888, 1890, 1892, 1894, 1896, 1898, 1900, 1902, 1904, 1906, 1908, 1910, 1912, 1914, 1916, 1918, 1920, 1922, 1924, 1926, 25 1928, 1930, 1932, 1934, 1936, 1938, 1940, 1942, 1944, 1946, 1948, 1950, 1952, 1954, 1956, 1958, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1966, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024, 2026, 2028, 2030, 2032, 2034, 2036, 2038, 2040, 2042, 2044, 2046, 2048, 2050, 2052, 2054, 2056, 2058, 2060, 2062, 2064, 2066, 2068, 2070, 2072, 2074, 2076, 30 2078, 2080, 2082, 2084, 2086, 2088, 2090, 2092, 2094, 2096, 2098, 2100, 2102, 2104, 2106, 2108, 2110, 2112, 2114, 2116, 2118, 2120, 2122, 2124, 2126, 2128, 2130, 2132, 2134, 2136, 2138, 2140, 2142, 2144, 2146, 2148, 2150, 2152, 2154, 2156, 2158, 2160, 2162, 2164, 2166, 2168, 2170, 2172, 2174, 2176, 2178, 2180, 2182, 2184, 2186, 2188, 2190, 2192, 2194, 2196, 2198, 2200, 2202, 2204, 2206, 2208, 2210, 2212, 2214, 2216, 2218, 2220, 2222, 2224, 2226, 35 2228, 2230, 2232, 2234, 2236, 2238, 2240, 2242, 2244, 2246, 2248, 2250, 2252, 2254, 2256, 2258, 2260, 2262, 2264, 2266, 2268, 2270, 2272, 2274, 2276, 2278, 2280, 2282, 2284, 2286, 2288, 2290, 2292, 2294, 2296, 2298, 2300, 2302, 2304, 2306, 2308, 2310, 2312.2314, 2316, 2318, 2320, 2322, 2324, 2326, 2328, 2330, 2332, 2334, 2336, 2338, 2340, 2342, 2344, 2346, 6 2348, 2350, 2352, 2354, 2356, 2358, 2360, 2362, 2364, 2366, 2368, 2370, 2372, 2374, 2376, 2378, 2380, 2382, 2384, 2386, 2388, 2390, 2392, 2394, 2396, 2398, 2400, 2402, 2404, 2406, 2408, 2410, 2412, 2414, 2416, 2418, 2420, 2422, 2424, 2426, 2428, 2430, 2432, 2434, 2436, 2438, 2440, 2442, 2444, 2446, 2448, 2450, 2452, 2454, 2456, 2458, 2460, 2462, 2464, 2466, 5 2468, 2470, 2472, 2474, 2476, 2478, 2480, 2482, 2484, 2486, 2488, 2490, 2492, 2494, 2496, 2498, 2500, 2502, 2504, 2506, 2508, 2510, 2512, 2514, 2516, 2518, 2520, 2522, 2524, 2526, 2528, 2530, 2532, 2534, 2536, 2538, 2540, 2542, 2544, 2546, 2548, 2550, 2552, 2554, 2556, 2558, 2560, 2562, 2564, 2566, 2568, 2570, 2572, 2574, 2576, 2578, 2580, 2582, 2584, 2586, 2588, 2590, 2592, 2594, 2596, 2598, 2600, 2602, 2604, 2606, 2608, 2610, 2612, 2614, 2616, 10 2618, 2620, 2622, 2624, 2626, 2628, 2630, 2632, 2634, 2636, 2638, 2640, 2642, 2644, 2646, 2648, 2650, 2652, 2654, 2656, 2658, 2660, 2662, 2664, 2666, 2668, 2670, 2672, 2674, 2676, 2678, 2680, 2682, 2684, 2686, 2688, 2690, 2692, 2694, 2696, 2698, 2700, 2702, 2704, 2706, 2708, 2710, 2712, 2714, 2716, 2718, 2720, 2722, 2724, 2726, 2728, 2730, 2732, 2734, 2736, 2738, 2740, 2742, 2744, 2746, 2748, 2750, 2752, 2754, 2756, 2758, 2760, 2762, 2764, 2766, 15 2768, 2770, 2772, 2774, 2776, 2778, 2780, 2782, 2784, 2786, 2788, 2790, 2792, 2794, 2796, 2798, 2800, 2802, 2804, 2806, 2808, 2810, 2812, 2814, 2816, 2818, 2820, 2822, 2824, 2826, 2828, 2830, 2832, 2834, 2836, 2838, 2840, 2842, 2844, 2846, 2848, 2850, 2852, 2854, 2856, 2858, 2860, 2862, 2864, 2866, 2868, 2870, 2872, 2874, 2876, 2878, 2880, 2882, 2884, 2886, 2888, 2890, 2892, 2894, 2896, 2898, 2900, 2902, 2904, 2906, 2908, 2910, 2912, 2914, 2916, 20 2918, 2920, 2922, 2924, 2926, 2928, 2930, 2932, 2934, 2936, 2938, 2940, 2942, 2944, 2946, 2948, 2950, 2952, 2954, 2956, 2958, 2960, 2962, 2964, 2966, 2968, 2970, 2972, 2974, 2976, 2978, 2980, 2982, 2984, 2986, 2988, 2990, 2992, 2994, 2996, 2998, 3000, 3002, 3004, 3006, 3008, 3010, 3012, 3014, 3016, 3018, 3020, and 3069-3074 thereof, or a protein having or comprising a sequence that is at least about 50% or 60% or 70% or 80% or 90% or 95% or 99% 25 identical to any one or more of these SEQ ID NOs. In one example, this is subject to the proviso that when the antigen or immunogenic protein comprises a sequence having at least 50% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1200, 1202 or 1204 of W099/57280 said antigen or immunogenic protein is in combination with one or more other antigens or immunogenic proteins selected from the group consisting of antigens or immunogenic proteins disclosed in 30 W099/57280 and/or W099/36544 and/or W099/24578 and/or W097/28273 and/or W096/29412 and/or W095/03413 and/or W099/31132. In another example, the present invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising (a) NmC oligosaccharide and (b) NmB outer membrane protein, characterised in that the composition also comprises (c) one or more MenB proteins disclosed in W099/57280 e.g., '919' 35 and/or '287', or an immunogenic fragment of said one or more MenB proteins. For example, a MenB protein disclosed in W099/57280 may be a protein comprising or having an amino acid sequence as disclosed in W099/57280 selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 7 1199-1204 or 3069-3074 thereof, or a protein having or comprising a sequence that is at least about 50% or 60% or 70% or 80% or 90% or 95% or 99% identical to any one or more of these SEQ ID NOs. For example, the MenB protein may be '919', optionally in combination with '287' e.g., wherein '287' comprises a sequence having at least 50% identity to any one of SEQ ID 5 NOs: 1200, 1202 or 1204 of W099/57280. In another example, the present invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising (a) NmC oligosaccharide and (b) NmB outer membrane protein, characterised in that the composition also comprises (c) one or more proteins disclosed in W099/36544 or an immunogenic fragment thereof. For example, a protein disclosed in W099/36544 may be a 10 protein comprising or having an amino acid sequence as disclosed in W099/36544 selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, and 90 thereof, or a protein having or comprising a sequence that is at least about 50% or 60% or 70% or 80% or 90% or 95% or 99% identical to any one or more of these SEQ ID NOs. 15 In another example, the present invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising (a) NmC oligosaccharide and (b) NmB outer membrane protein, characterised in that the composition also comprises (c) one or more proteins disclosed in W099/24578 or an immunogenic fragment thereof. For example, a protein disclosed in W099/24578 may be a protein comprising or having an amino acid sequence as disclosed in W099/24578 selected 20 from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 148, 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166, 168, 170, 172, 174, 176, 178, 180, 182, 184, 186, 188, 190, 192, 194, 196, 198, 25 200,202,204,206,208,210,212,214,216,218,220,222,224,226,228,230,232,234,236, 238,240,242,244,246,248,250,252,254,256,258,260,262,264,266,268,270,272,274, 276,278,280,282,284,286,288,290,292,294,296,298, 300,302, 304,306, 308, 310, 312, 314,316, 318, 320, 322, 324, 326, 328, 330, 332, 334, 336, 338,340,342,344, 346, 348, 350, 352,354, 356, 358, 360, 362, 364, 366, 368, 370, 372, 374, 376,378,380,382, 384, 386, 388, 30 390,392, 394, 396, 398,400,402,404,406,408,410,412,414,416,418,420,422,424,426, 428,430,432,434,436,438,440,442,444, 446,448,450,452,454,456,458,460,462,464, 466,468,470, 472,474,476,478,480,482, 484,486,488,490,492,494,496,498,500,502, 504,506,508, 510, 512, 514,516,518,520, 522, 524, 526,528,530,532,534,536,538,540, 542,544,546,548, 550, 552,554,556,558, 560, 562, 564,566,568,570,572,574,576,578, 35 580, 582, 584, 586, 588, 590, 592, 594, 596, 598, 600, 602, 604, 606, 608, 610, 612, 614, 616, 618,620,622, 624, 626, 628,630,632, 634, 636, 638, 640, 642, 644,646,648,650,652, 654, 656,658, 660, 662,664, 666, 668, 670, 672, 674, 676,678, 680, 682,684,686,688,690, 692, 8 694, 696, 698, 700, 702, 704, 706, 708, 710, 712, 714, 716, 718, 720, 722, 724, 726, 728, 730, 732, 734, 736, 738, 740, 742, 744, 746, 748, 750, 752, 754, 756, 758, 760, 762, 764, 766, 768, 770, 772, 774, 776, 778, 780, 782, 784, 786, 788, 790, 792, 794, 796, 798, 800, 802, 804, 806, 808, 810, 812, 814, 816, 818, 820, 822, 824, 826, 828, 830, 832, 834, 836, 838, 840, 842, 844, 5 846, 848, 850, 852, 854, 856, 858, 860, 862, 864, 866, 868, 870, 872, 874, 876, 878, 880, 882, 884, 886, 888, 890, and 892 thereof, or a protein having or comprising a sequence that is at least about 50% or 60% or 70% or 80% or 90% or 95% or 99% identical to any one or more of these SEQ ID NOs. In another example, the present invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising (a) 10 NmC oligosaccharide and (b) NmB outer membrane protein, characterised in that the composition also comprises (c) one or more proteins disclosed in W096/29412 or an immunogenic fragment thereof. For example, a protein disclosed in W096/29412 may be a protein comprising or having an amino acid sequence as disclosed in W096/29412 selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1-8 thereof, or a protein having or comprising a 15 sequence that is at least about 50% or 60% or 70% or 80% or 90% or 95% or 99% identical to any one or more of these SEQ ID NOs. In another example, the present invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising (a) NmC oligosaccharide and (b) NmB outer membrane protein, characterised in that the composition also comprises (c) one or more proteins disclosed in W095/03413 or an 20 immunogenic fragment thereof. For example, a protein disclosed in W095/03413 may be a protein comprising or having an amino acid sequence as disclosed in W095/03413 selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1-23 thereof, or a protein having or comprising a sequence that is at least about 50% or 60% or 70% or 80% or 90% or 95% or 99% identical to any one or more of these SEQ ID NOs. 25 In another example, the present invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising (a) NmC oligosaccharide and (b) NmB outer membrane protein, characterised in that the composition also comprises (c) one or more proteins disclosed in W099/31132 or an immunogenic fragment thereof. For example, a protein disclosed in W099/31132 may be a protein comprising or having an amino acid sequence as disclosed in SEQ ID NO: 2 thereof or a 30 protein having or comprising a sequence that is at least about 50% or 60% or 70% or 80% or 90% or 95% or 99% identity to SEQ ID NO: 2 of W099/31132. In another example, the present invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising (a) NmC oligosaccharide and (b) NmB outer membrane protein, characterised in that the composition also comprises (c) one or more protective antigens against Neisseria meningitidis 35 serogroup A.

9 In another example, the present invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising (a) NmC oligosaccharide and (b) NmB outer membrane protein, characterised in that the composition also comprises (c) one or more protective antigens against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W. 5 In another example, the present invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising (a) NmC oligosaccharide and (b) NmB outer membrane protein, characterised in that the composition also comprises (c) one or more protective antigens against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup Y. In another example, the present invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising (a) 10 NmC oligosaccharide and (b) NmB outer membrane protein, characterised in that the composition also comprises (c) one or more protective antigens against Haemophilus influenzae. In another example, the present invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising (a) NmC oligosaccharide and (b) NmB outer membrane protein, characterised in that the composition also comprises (c) one or more protective antigens against Pneumococcus. 15 For example, a protective antigen may be a polysaccharide antigen of N. meningitidis, H. influenzae or Pneumococcus. Combinations of polysaccharide antigens from one or more different sources are not excluded. In another example, the present invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising (a) NmC oligosaccharide and (b) NmB outer membrane protein, characterised in that the 20 composition also comprises (c) one or more protective antigens against diphtheria e.g., a diphtheria toxoid. In another example, the present invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising (a) NmC oligosaccharide and (b) NmB outer membrane protein, characterised in that the composition also comprises (c) one or more protective antigens against tetanus e.g., a tetanus 25 toxoid. In another example, the present invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising (a) NmC oligosaccharide and (b) NmB outer membrane protein, characterised in that the composition also comprises (c) one or more protective antigens against whooping cough e.g., one or more antigens selected from the group consisting of pertussis holotoxin (PT), filamentous 30 haemagglutinin (FHA), pertactin, agglutinogen 2 and agglutinogen 3. In another example, the present invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising (a) NmC oligosaccharide and (b) NmB outer membrane protein, characterised in that the composition also comprises (c) one or more protective antigens against hepatitis B virus (HBV) e.g., one or more of HBV surface antigens and/or one or more HBV core antigens.

10 In another example, the present invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising (a) NmC oligosaccharide and (b) NmB outer membrane protein, characterised in that the composition also comprises (c) one or more protective antigens against Helicobacter pylori e.g., one or more antigens selected from the group consisting of CagA, VacA, NAP, HopX, HopY 5 and urease. In another example, the present invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising (a) NmC oligosaccharide and (b) NmB outer membrane protein, characterised in that the composition also comprises (c) two or more protective antigens selected from the group of protective antigens against N. meningitidis serogroup A, N. meningitidis serogroup W, N. 10 meningitidis serogroup Y, H. influenzae, Pneumococcus sp., diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and H. pylori. In another example, the present invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising (a) NmC oligosaccharide and (b) NmB proteins 919, 287 and/or ORFI. A NmB outer membrane protein according to any example hereof may be constituted as or 15 encapsulated within or presented in a proteoliposomic vesicle. A NmC oligosaccharide according to any example hereof may be conjugated to a carrier such as a protein e.g., CRM 197. An immunogenic composition according to any example hereof may further comprise a carrier e.g., aluminium hydroxide, or MF59. 20 In another example, the present invention provides a vaccine comprising an immunogenic composition according to any example hereof. Component (a) The oligosaccharide of component (a) is preferably the Chiron oligosaccharide, representing 25 NmC polysaccharide fragments of from preferably about 12 to about 22 repeating units. The NmC oligosaccharide of component (a) is preferably conjugated to a carrier. The carrier is preferably a protein, but may alternatively be a polysaccharide, polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, polymeric amino acids, amino acid co-polymer, lipid aggregate, or inactive virus particle. More preferably, the carrier is a protein. Most preferably, the carrier is CRM197, a non-toxic 30 diphtheria toxin. Each dose preferably has lOpg of oligosaccharide to 12.5-33 g CRM197 (i.e. to maintain a oligo/protein ratio of from about 0.3 to about 0.8). More preferably, about 20 jig of CRM 197 can be used. The dosage of NmC conjugate or polysaccharide is expressed in pig of sialic acid. An NmC vaccine containing unconjugated polysaccharide (referred to herein as "NmC polysaccharide" or I1 "MenC Ps") can also be used. MenC Ps is a crude isolate comprising polysaccharides preferably from about 60 to about 80 repeating units. For further details of NmC-CRM197 conjugation, see Costantino et al. (1992) Vaccine 10:691 698. 5 Component (b) The NmB outer membrane protein of component (b) preferably comprises partially purified outer membrane proteins from strain 44/76 (B15:Pl.7,16:L3,7,9). The outer membrane protein is preferably present as proteoliposomic vesicles, obtained for 10 example as a result of the extraction process using deoxycholate. The dosage of NmB is expressed in pg of protein. Preferably, the NmB immune composition/vaccine components can be obtained from the National Institute of Public Health of Norway. The NmB/alum vaccine comprises 0.05 mg/ml NmB protein, 3.33 mg/ml Al (OH) 3 (alum), and 0.10 mg/mi thiomersalsodium. 15 Component (c) Preferably, component (c) comprises one or more of: a protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ IDs 2,4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 20 50,52,54,56,58,60,62,64,66,68,70,72,74,76,78,80,82,84,86,88,90,92,94,96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106,108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126,128, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 148, 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166, 168, 170,172,174,176,178,180,182, 184,186,188,190,192,194,196,198,200,202,204, 206, 208, 210, 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226, 228, 230, 232, 234, 236, 238, 240, 25 242,244,246,248,250,252,254,256,258,260,262,264,266,268,270,272,274,276, 278,280,282,284,286,288,290,292,294,296,298,300,302,304,306,308,310,312, 314, 316, 318, 320, 322, 324, 326, 328, 330, 332, 334, 336, 338, 340, 342, 344, 346, 348, 350, 352, 354, 356, 358, 360, 362, 364, 366, 368, 370, 372, 374,376, 378, 380, 382, 384, 386, 388, 390, 392, 394, 396, 398, 400, 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, 412,414, 416, 418, 420, 30 422,424,426,428,430,432,434,436,438,440,442,444,446,448,450,452,454,456, 458,460,462,464,466,468,470,472,474,476,478,480,482,484,486,488,490,492, 494,496,498,500,502,504,506,508,510,512,514,516,518,520,522,524,526,528, 530,532,534,536,538,540,542,544,546,548,550,552,554,556,558,560,562,564, 566, 568, 570, 572, 574, 576, 578, 580, 582, 584, 586, 588, 590, 592, 594, 596, 598, 600, 35 602, 604, 606, 608, 610, 612, 614, 616, 618, 620, 622, 624, 626, 628, 630, 632, 634, 636, 12 638, 640,642, 644, 646, 648, 650, 652, 654, 656, 658, 660, 662, 664, 666, 668, 670, 672, 674,676,678,680,682,684,686,688,690,692,694,696,698,700,702,704,706,708, 710,712,714,716,718,720,722,724,726,728,730,732,734,736,738,740,742,744, 746, 748, 750, 752, 754, 756,758, 760, 762, 764, 766, 768, 770, 772, 774, 776, 778, 780, 5 782, 784, 786, 788, 790, 792,794,796, 798, 800, 802, 804, 806, 808, 810, 812, 814, 816, 818, 820, 822, 824, 826, 828, 830,832,834, 836, 838, 840, 842, 844, 846, 848, 850, 852, 854, 856, 858, 860, 862, 864, 866, 868,870,872, 874, 876, 878, 880, 882, 884, 886, 888, 890, & 892, as disclosed in W099/24578 (or a protein comprising an immunogenic fragment of one or more of these SEQ IDs, or a protein comprising a sequence having 10 sequence identity (preferably greater than 50% eg. 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 99% or more) to one of these SEQ IDs); e a protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ IDs 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, & 90, as 15 disclosed in W099/36544 (or a protein comprising an immunogenic fragment of one or more of these SEQ IDs, or a protein comprising a sequence having sequence identity (preferably greater than 50% eg. 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 99% or more) to one of these SEQ IDs); e a protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ 20 IDs 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50,52,54,56,58,60,62,64,66,68,70,72,74,76,78,80,82,84,86,88,90,92,94,96, 98, 100,102, 104,106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116,118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130,132, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 148, 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166, 168, 170,172, 174,176, 178,180, 182, 184,186,188, 190, 192, 194, 196,198,200,202,204, 25 206, 208, 210, 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226, 228, 230, 232, 234, 236, 238, 240, 242,244,246,248,250,252,254,256,258,260,262,264,266,268,270,272,274,276, 278,280,282,284,286,288,290,292,294,296,298,300,302,304,306,308,310,312, 314,316,318,320,322,324,326,328,330,332,334,336,338,340,342,344,346,348, 350,352,354,356,358,360,362,364,366,368,370,372,374,376,378,380,382,384, 30 386,388,390,392,394,396,398,400,402,404,406,408,410,412,414,416,418,420, 422, 424, 426, 428, 430, 432, 434, 436, 438, 440, 442, 444, 446, 448, 450, 452, 454, 456, 458,460,462,464,466,468,470,472,474,476,478,480,482,484,486,488,490,492, 494,496,498,500,502,504,506,508,510,512,514,516,518,520,522,524,526,528, 530,532,534,536,538,540,542,544,546,548,550,552,554,556,558,560,562,564, 35 566,568,570,572,574,576,578,580,582,584,586,588,590,592,594,596,598,600, 602,604,606,608,610,612,614,616,618,620,622,624,626,628,630,632,634,636, 638,640,642,644,646,648,650,652,654,656,658,660,662,664,666,668,670,672, 13 674,676,678,680,682,684,686,688,690,692,694,696,698,700,702,704,706,708, 710,712,714,716,718,720,722,724,726,728,730,732,734,736,738,740,742,744, 746,748,750,752,754,756,758,760,762,764,766,768,770,772,774,776,778,780, 782,784,786,788,790,792,794,796,798,800,802,804,806,808,810,812,814,816, 5 818,820,822,824,826,828,830,832,834,836,838,840,842,844,846,848,850,852, 854,856,858,860,862,864,866,868,870,872,874,876,878,880,882,884,886,888, 890,892,894,896,898,900,902,904,906,908,910,912,914,916,918,920,922,924, 926,928,930,932,934,936,938,940,942,944,946,948,950,952,954,956,958,960, 962,964,966,968,970,972,974,976,978,980,982,984,986,988,990,992,994,996, 10 998, 1000, 1002, 1004, 1006, 1008, 1010, 1012, 1014, 1016, 1018, 1020, 1022, 1024, 1026, 1028, 1030, 1032, 1034, 1036, 1038, 1040, 1042, 1044, 1046, 1048, 1050, 1052, 1054, 1056, 1058, 1060, 1062, 1064, 1066, 1068, 1070, 1072, 1074, 1076, 1078, 1080, 1082, 1084, 1086, 1088, 1090, 1092, 1094, 1096, 1098, 1100, 1102, 1104, 1106, 1108, 1110, 1112, 1114, 1116, 1118, 1120, 1122, 1124, 1126, 1128, 1130, 1132, 1134, 1136, 15 1138, 1140, 1142, 1144, 1146, 1148, 1150, 1152, 1154, 1156, 1158, 1160, 1162, 1164, 1166, 1168, 1170, 1172, 1174, 1176, 1178, 1180, 1182, 1184, 1186, 1188, 1190, 1192, 1194, 1196, 1198, 1200, 1202, 1204, 1206, 1208, 1210, 1212, 1214, 1216, 1218, 1220, 1222, 1224, 1226, 1228, 1230, 1232, 1234, 1236, 1238, 1240, 1242, 1244, 1246, 1248, 1250, 1252, 1254, 1256, 1258, 1260, 1262, 1264, 1266, 1268, 1270, 1272, 1274, 1276, 20 1278, 1280, 1282, 1284, 1286, 1288, 1290, 1292, 1294, 1296, 1298, 1300, 1302, 1304, 1306, 1308, 1310, 1312, 1314, 1316, 1318, 1320, 1322, 1324, 1326, 1328, 1330, 1332, 1334, 1336, 1338, 1340, 1342, 1344, 1346, 1348, 1350, 1352, 1354, 1356, 1358, 1360, 1362, 1364, 1366, 1368, 1370, 1372, 1374, 1376, 1378, 1380, 1382, 1384, 1386, 1388, 1390, 1392, 1394, 1396, 1398, 1400, 1402, 1404, 1406, 1408, 1410, 1412, 1414, 1416, 25 1418, 1420, 1422, 1424, 1426, 1428, 1430, 1432, 1434, 1436, 1438, 1440, 1442, 1444, 1446, 1448, 1450, 1452, 1454, 1456, 1458, 1460, 1462, 1464, 1466, 1468, 1470, 1472, 1474, 1476, 1478, 1480, 1482, 1484, 1486, 1488, 1490, 1492, 1494, 1496, 1498, 1500, 1502, 1504, 1506, 1508, 1510, 1512, 1514, 1516, 1518, 1520, 1522, 1524, 1526, 1528, 1530, 1532, 1534, 1536, 1538, 1540, 1542, 1544, 1546, 1548, 1550, 1552, 1554, 1556, 30 1558, 1560, 1562, 1564, 1566, 1568, 1570, 1572, 1574, 1576, 1578, 1580, 1582, 1584, 1586, 1588, 1590, 1592, 1594, 1596, 1598, 1600, 1602, 1604, 1606, 1608, 1610, 1612, 1614, 1616, 1618, 1620, 1622, 1624, 1626, 1628, 1630, 1632, 1634, 1636, 1638, 1640, 1642, 1644, 1646, 1648, 1650, 1652, 1654, 1656, 1658, 1660, 1662, 1664, 1666, 1668, 1670, 1672, 1674, 1676, 1678, 1680, 1682, 1684, 1686, 1688, 1690, 1692, 1694, 1696, 35 1698, 1700, 1702, 1704, 1706, 1708, 1710, 1712, 1714, 1716, 1718, 1720, 1722, 1724, 1726, 1728, 1730, 1732, 1734, 1736, 1738, 1740, 1742, 1744, 1746, 1748, 1750, 1752, 1754, 1756, 1758, 1760, 1762, 1764, 1766, 1768, 1770, 1772, 1774, 1776, 1778, 1780, 1782, 1784, 1786, 1788, 1790, 1792, 1794, 1796, 1798, 1800, 1802, 1804, 1806, 1808, 14 1810, 1812, 1814, 1816, 1818, 1820, 1822, 1824, 1826, 1828, 1830, 1832, 1834, 1836, 1838, 1840, 1842, 1844, 1846, 1848, 1850, 1852, 1854, 1856, 1858, 1860, 1862, 1864, 1866, 1868, 1870, 1872, 1874, 1876, 1878, 1880, 1882, 1884, 1886, 1888, 1890, 1892, 1894, 1896, 1898, 1900, 1902, 1904, 1906, 1908, 1910, 1912, 1914, 1916, 1918, 1920, 5 1922, 1924, 1926, 1928, 1930, 1932, 1934, 1936, 1938, 1940, 1942, 1944, 1946, 1948, 1950, 1952, 1954, 1956, 1958, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1966, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012,2014, 2016,2018,2020, 2022,2024, 2026, 2028, 2030, 2032, 2034,2036, 2038, 2040,2042, 2044,2046, 2048, 2050,2052, 2054, 2056, 2058, 2060, 10 2062, 2064, 2066, 2068,2070, 2072,2074, 2076, 2078,2080,2082, 2084, 2086, 2088, 2090, 2092, 2094, 2096, 2098, 2100, 2102, 2104, 2106, 2108, 2110, 2112, 2114, 2116, 2118,2120, 2122, 2124,2126, 2128,2130,2132, 2134,2136, 2138, 2140, 2142, 2144, 2146,2148, 2150, 2152,2154, 2156,2158, 2160, 2162,2164, 2166, 2168, 2170, 2172, 2174,2176, 2178, 2180,2182, 2184,2186, 2188, 2190,2192, 2194, 2196, 2198, 2200, 15 2202,2204, 2206, 2208, 2210, 2212,2214, 2216, 2218,2220, 2222, 2224, 2226, 2228, 2230, 2232, 2234, 2236, 2238, 2240, 2242, 2244, 2246, 2248, 2250, 2252, 2254, 2256, 2258,2260, 2262, 2264, 2266, 2268, 2270, 2272,2274,2276, 2278, 2280, 2282, 2284, 2286,2288,2290, 2292, 2294,2296, 2298, 2300, 2302,2304, 2306, 2308, 2310, 2312, 2314,2316,2318, 2320, 2322, 2324, 2326, 2328, 2330,2332, 2334, 2336, 2338, 2340, 20 2342, 2344, 2346, 2348, 2350, 2352, 2354, 2356, 2358,2360,2362, 2364, 2366, 2368, 2370,2372, 2374, 2376, 2378, 2380, 2382, 2384, 2386,2388, 2390, 2392, 2394, 2396, 2398,2400, 2402, 2404, 2406, 2408, 2410,2412, 2414,2416, 2418, 2420, 2422, 2424, 2426,2428, 2430, 2432, 2434, 2436, 2438, 2440, 2442,2444, 2446, 2448, 2450, 2452, 2454,2456, 2458, 2460,2462, 2464, 2466, 2468, 2470,2472, 2474, 2476, 2478, 2480, 25 2482,2484, 2486, 2488, 2490, 2492, 2494, 2496, 2498,2500, 2502, 2504, 2506, 2508, 2510,2512, 2514, 2516,2518, 2520, 2522, 2524, 2526,2528, 2530, 2532, 2534, 2536, 2538,2540, 2542, 2544,2546, 2548, 2550, 2552, 2554,2556, 2558, 2560, 2562, 2564, 2566,2568, 2570, 2572,2574, 2576, 2578, 2580, 2582,2584, 2586, 2588, 2590, 2592, 2594,2596, 2598, 2600, 2602, 2604, 2606, 2608, 2610,2612, 2614, 2616, 2618, 2620, 30 2622, 2624, 2626, 2628, 2630, 2632, 2634, 2636, 2638, 2640, 2642, 2644, 2646, 2648, 2650,2652, 2654, 2656, 2658, 2660, 2662, 2664, 2666,2668, 2670, 2672, 2674, 2676, 2678,2680, 2682, 2684, 2686,2688, 2690, 2692, 2694,2696, 2698, 2700, 2702, 2704, 2706,2708, 2710, 2712,2714, 2716, 2718, 2720, 2722,2724, 2726, 2728, 2730, 2732, 2734,2736, 2738, 2740,2742, 2744, 2746, 2748, 2750,2752, 2754, 2756, 2758, 2760, 35 2762,2764, 2766,2768,2770, 2772, 2774, 2776, 2778,2780, 2782, 2784, 2786, 2788, 2790,2792, 2794, 2796,2798, 2800, 2802, 2804, 2806,2808, 2810, 2812, 2814, 2816, 2818,2820, 2822, 2824,2826, 2828,2830, 2832, 2834,2836, 2838, 2840, 2842, 2844, 2846,2848, 2850, 2852,2854, 2856,2858, 2860, 2862,2864, 2866, 2868, 2870, 2872, 15 2874, 2876, 2878, 2880, 2882, 2884, 2886, 2888, 2890, 2892, 2894, 2896, 2898, 2900, 2902, 2904, 2906, 2908, 2910, 2912, 2914, 2916, 2918, 2920, 2922, 2924, 2926, 2928, 2930, 2932, 2934, 2936, 2938, 2940, 2942, 2944, 2946, 2948, 2950, 2952, 2954, 2956, 2958, 2960, 2962, 2964, 2966, 2968, 2970, 2972, 2974, 2976, 2978, 2980, 2982, 2984, 5 2986, 2988, 2990, 2992, 2994, 2996, 2998, 3000, 3002, 3004, 3006, 3008, 3010, 3012, 3014, 3016, 3018 & 3020, as disclosed in W099/57280 (or a protein comprising an immunogenic fragment of one or more of these SEQ IDs, or a protein comprising a sequence having sequence identity (preferably greater than 50% eg. 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 99% or more) to one of these SEQ IDs); 10 * The protein disclosed in Figure 4 or Figure 13 of W097/28273; e A protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ IDs 1-8 disclosed in W096/29412 (or a protein comprising an immunogenic fragment of one or more of these SEQ IDs, or a protein comprising a sequence having sequence identity (preferably greater than 50% eg. 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 99% or more) to 15 one of these SEQ IDs); * A protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ IDs 1-23 disclosed in W095/03413 (or a protein comprising an immunogenic fragment of one or more of these SEQ IDs, or a protein comprising a sequence having sequence identity (preferably greater than 50% eg. 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 99% or more) to 20 one of these SEQ IDs); e A protein comprising an amino acid sequence consisting of SEQ ID 2 disclosed in W099/31132 (or a protein comprising an immunogenic fragment of SEQ ID 2, or a protein comprising a sequence having sequence identity (preferably greater than 50% eg. 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 99% or more) to SEQ ID 2); 25 0 A polysaccharide antigen against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A; * A polysaccharide antigen against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup Y; * A polysaccharide antigen against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W; e A polysaccharide antigen against Haemophilus influenzae; * A polysaccharide antigen against pneumococcus; 30 e A protective antigen against diphtheria, consisting of a diphtheria toxoid, such as the CRM 197 mutant [eg. Del Guidice et al. (1998) Molecular Aspects ofMedicine 19:1-70]. * A protective antigen against tetanus, consisting of a tetanus toxoid [eg. Wassilak & Orenstein, Chapter 4 of Vaccines (eds. Plotkin & Mortimer), 1988] 16 " A protective antigen against whooping cough, comprising pertussis holotoxin (PT) and filamentous haemagglutinin (FHA); optionally further comprising pertactin and/or agglutinogens 2 and 3 [eg. Gustafsson et al. (1996) N. Engl. J. Med. 334:349-355; Rappuoli et al. (1991) TIBTECH 9:232-238]. 5 e A protective antigen against H.pylori, comprising one or more of CagA (eg. W093/18150), VacA (eg. W093/18150), NAP (eg. W099/53310), HopX (eg. W098/04702), HopY (eg. W098/04702), urease. * A protective antigen against hepatitis B virus, consisting of a HBV surface antigen and/or a HBV core antigen. 10 Where component (c) comprises an antigen against diphtheria, it preferably also comprises antigens against tetanus and polio. Where component (c) comprises an antigen against tetanus, it preferably also comprises antigens against diphtheria and polio. Where component (c) comprises an antigen against polio, it preferably also comprises antigens against diphtheria and tetanus. 15 Pertussis toxin is a toxic protein and, when present in component (c), it is preferably detoxified. Detoxification may be by chemical and/or genetic means. A preferred detoxified mutant is the 9K/129G double mutant [eg. Rappuoli (1997) Nature Medicine 3:374-376]. Where component (c) includes a protein that exists in different nascent and mature forms, the mature form of the protein is preferably used. For example, where NspA is included, 20 (W096/29412 ; see also Martin et al. (1997) J. Exp. Med 185 1173-1183) the mature form of the protein lacking the signal peptide is preferably used. Where component (c) includes a polysaccharide antigen, the polysaccharide is preferably conjugated to a carrier protein. Component (c) preferably should not diminish the immune responses raised in response to 25 components (a) and (b). Pharmaceutically acceptable carrier The compositions of the invention may also comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The carrier can be organic, inorganic, or both. Suitable carriers well known to those of skill in 30 the art and include, without limitation, large, slowly metabolized macromolecules such as proteins, polysaccharides, polylactic acids, polyglycolic acids, polymeric amino acids, amino acid copolymers, lipid aggregates (such as oil droplets or liposomes) and inactive virus particles. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts can be used therein, for example, mineral acid salts such as hydrochlorides, hydrobromides, phosphates, sulfates, and the like; and the salts of organic acids 35 such as acetates, propionates, malonates, benzoates, and the like. A thorough discussion of 17 pharmaceutically acceptable excipients is available in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences (Mack Pub. Co., N. J. 1991). Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers in compositions may contain liquids such as water, saline, glycerol and ethanol. Additionally, auxiliary substances, such as wetting or emulsifying agents, pH buffering substances, and the like, may be present in such 5 vehicles. Typically, the therapeutic compositions are prepared as injectables, either as liquid solutions or suspensions; solid forms suitable for solution in, or suspension in, liquid vehicles prior to injection may also be prepared. Liposomes are included within the definition of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The carrier can also function as an immunostimulatory agent e.g. an adjuvant. Suitable 10 adjuvants are well known to those of skill in the art. Preferred carriers are aluminum hydroxide (alum) and MF59. Alum can be obtained from Superfos, Bedbaek, Denmark, and is a 3% solution. When present, ~1 mg to- 1. 67 mg of alum is used per dose. Where component (c) includes a hepatitis B antigen, aluminium hydroxide is preferably not 15 used as a carrier (e.g. EP-A-0642355). Similarly, where component (c) includes a H.influenzae polysaccharide conjugate, aluminium hydroxide is preferably not used as a carrier (e.g. EP-A 0833662). Aluminium phosphate may be used instead. MF59 is a micro-fluidized emulsion of squalene in water that has been shown to be safe and to augment serum antibody responses to a variety of vaccines. MF59 comprises about 5% 20 squalene, 0.5% Tween 80 and about 0.5% Span 85. The adjuvant MF59 is described in W090/14837. MF59 can be made according to the procedures described in, for example, Ott et al. in Vaccine Design: The Subunit And Adjuvant Approach (1995, Powell and Newman, Eds., Plenum Press, New York, p. 277-296); Singh et al. (1998) Vaccine 16, 1822-1827; Ott et al. (1995) Vaccine 13, 1557-1562; Valensi et al. (1994) J. Immunol. 153,4029-39. 25 Other carrier-adjuvants that may be used include oil-in-water emulsion formulations (with or without other specific immunostimulating agents such as muramyl peptides or bacterial cell wall components), such as for example (a) MF59 as described above (optionally containing various amounts of MTP-PE although not required) (b) SAF, containing 10% Squalane, 0.4% Tween 80,5% pluronic-blocked polymer L121, and thr-MDP (see below) either microfluidized into a 30 submicron emulsion or vortexed to generate a larger particle size emulsion, and (c) RibiTM adjuvant system (RAS), (Ribi Immunochem, Hamilton, MT) containing 2% Squalene, 0.2% Tween 80, and one or more bacterial cell wall components from the group consisting of monophosphorylipid A (MPL), trehalose dimycolate (TDM), and cell wall skeleton (CWS), preferably MPL + CWS (Detox T M ); (3) saponin adjuvants, such as StimulonTM (Cambridge 35 Bioscience, Worcester, MA) may be used or particles generated therefrom such as ISCOMs (immunostimulating complexes); (4) Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) and Incomplete 18 Freund's Adjuvant (IFA); (5) cytokines, such as interleukins (eg. IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL- 12, etc.), interferons (eg. gamma interferon), macrophage colony stimulating factor (M CSF), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), etc; and (6) other substances that act as immunostimulating agents to enhance the effectiveness of the composition. 5 As mentioned above, muramyl peptides include, but are not limited to, N-acetyl-muramyl-L threonyl-D-isoglutamine (thr-MDP), N-acetyl-normuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine (nor MDP), N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutaminyl-L-alanine-2- (l'-2'-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero 3- hydroxyphosphoryloxy)-ethylamine (MTP-PE), etc. 10 Immunogenicity As used herein, the term "immunogenic" refers to material which induces the production of antibody upon administration to a vertebrate, including humans. The compositions of the invention will typically employ an immunologically effective amount of components (a), (b) and (c). That is, there will be included an amount of component (a), (b) 15 or (c) which, in combination with any adjuvant present, will cause the subject to produce a specific and sufficient immunological response, preferably a T or B lymphocyte response, so as to impart protection to the subject from subsequent exposure to Neisseria. An "immunologically effective amount," is effective, either in a single dose or as part of a series, for inducing the production of antibody for either the treatment or prevention of disease. 20 This amount will vary depending upon a variety of factors, including the physical condition of the subject, and can be readily determined by someone of skill in the art. No single dose designation can be assigned which will provide specific guidance for each and every antigen which can be employed in this invention. The effective amount of antigen will be a function of its inherent activity and purity and is empirically determined by those of ordinary 25 skill in the art via routine experimentation. The immunogenic compositions according to the present invention will typically comprise an immunostimulatory amount of Neisseria antigen. An immunostimulatory amount is that amount which is sufficient to induce a measurable humoral or cellular immune response. For example, the immunogenic compositions of the present invention comprise about 1 nanogram to about 30 1000 micrograms of antigen or about 10 nanograms to about 800 micrograms of antigen. In some preferred embodiments, the immunogenic compositions contain about 0.1 to about 500 micrograms of antigen. In some preferred embodiments, the immunogenic compositions contain about I to about 350 micrograms of antigen. In some preferred embodiments, the immunogenic compositions contain about 25 to about 250 micrograms of antigen. In some preferred 35 embodiments, the immunogenic compositions contain about 100 micrograms of antigen. One 19 skilled in the art can readily formulate an immunogenic composition comprising any desired amount of antigen, which can be empirically determined by those of ordinary skill in the art via routine experimentation. The immunogenic compositions can be conveniently administered in unit dosage form and can be prepared by any of the methods well known in the pharmaceutical 5 art, for example, as described in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences (Mack Pub. Co., Easton, PA, 1980) Vaccines The present invention is also directed to vaccines comprising any of the immunogenic 10 compositions described above. As used herein, the term "vaccine" means an immunogenic composition which is able to induce a microbicidal immune response. Preferably, the vaccines of the present invention elicit a bactericidal antibody response. Vaccines according to the invention may either be prophylactic (ie. to prevent infection) or 15 therapeutic (ie. to treat disease after infection). The invention also provides a method of inducing an immune response at least to NmB and NmC, or vaccinating, comprising administering an immunologically effective amount of an immunogenic composition of the invention. Administration can be to a human, and may be by any mode known to those skilled in the art, including by parenteral, rectal, intraperitoneal, 20 intramuscular, or subcutaneous routes. Direct delivery will generally be accomplished by injection, either subcutaneously, intraperitoneally, intravenously or intramuscularly or delivered to the interstitial space of a tissue. The compositions can also be administered into a lesion. Other modes of administration include oral and pulmonary administration, suppositories, and transdermal or transcutaneous applications (eg. W098/20734), needles, and gene guns or 25 hyposprays. Dosage treatment may be a single dose schedule or a multiple dose schedule. The invention also provides the compositions of the invention for use as medicaments. It further provides the use of a composition of the invention in the manufacture of a medicament for treating or preventing infection due to Neisserial bacteria. As an alternative to protein-based vaccines, nucleic acid vaccination may be employed [eg. 30 Robinson & Torres (1997) Seminars in Immunology 9:271-283; Donnelly et al. (1997) Annu Rev Immunol 15:617-648]. One or more protein components of the compositions of the invention may thus be replaced by nucleic acid (preferably DNA) that encodes the protein.

20 Manufacturing process The invention provides a process for the manufacture of a composition according to the invention, comprising mixing components (a), (b) and (c). 5 General The practice of the present invention will employ, unless otherwise indicated, conventional techniques of molecular biology, microbiology, recombinant DNA, and immunology, which are within the skill of the art. Such techniques are explained fully in the literature eg. Sambrook Molecular Cloning; A Laboratory Manual, Second Edition (1989); DNA Cloning, Volumes I 10 and ii (D.N Glover ed. 1985); Oligonucleotide Synthesis (M.J. Gait ed, 1984); Nucleic Acid Hybridization (B.D. Hames & S.J. Higgins eds. 1984); Transcription and Translation (B.D. Hames & S.J. Higgins eds. 1984); Animal Cell Culture (R.I. Freshney ed. 1986) ; Immobilized Cells and Enzymes (IRL Press, 1986); B. Perbal, A Practical Guide to Molecular Cloning (1984); the Methods in Enzymology series (Academic Press, Inc.), especially volumes 154 & 15 155; Gene Transfer Vectors for Mammalian Cells (J.H. Miller and M.P. Calos eds. 1987, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory); Mayer and Walker, eds. (1987), Immunochemical Methods in Cell and Molecular Biology (Academic Press, London); Scopes, (1987) Protein Purification: Principles and Practice, Second Edition (Springer-Verlag, N.Y.), and Handbook of Experimental Immunology, Volumes I-IV(D.M. Weir and C.C. Blackwell eds 1986). 20 Any reference to prior art documents herein is not an admission that the documents formed part of the common general knowledge in the relevant art in Australia before the priority date of this application. Definitions 25 Standard abbreviations for nucleotides and amino acids are used in this specification. Throughout this specification and including the accompanying claims, the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. 30 Identity between proteins is preferably determined by the Smith-Waterman homology search algorithm as implemented in the MPSRCH program (Oxford Molecular), using an affine gap search with parameters gap open penalty=12 and gap extension penalty=1.

21 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS In all figures, Group A is data at 28 days post 1, and Group B is data at 18 days post 2. Figure 1 shows the geometric mean IgG antibody titres (KU/ml) against (IA) NmB OMV and (1B) NmC capsule, as determined by ELISA. The * indicates (IA) P<0. 03 for group 5 vs. 5 groups 2 & 3, (1B) P<0.02 for group 5 vs. groups 1 & 4. Figure 2 shows the titres of serum bactericidal antibody (1/geometric mean titre) to (2A) NmB and (2B) NmC. The * indicates PS0.003 for group 5 vs. group 2. MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 10 The invention is further illustrated by way of the following examples which are intended to elucidate the invention. The foregoing examples are meant to illustrate the invention and are not to be construed to limit the invention in any way. Those skilled in the art will recognise modifications that are within the spirit and scope of the invention. 15 Example 1 : ELISA results Groups of guinea pigs (n= 15 animals) received one of the vaccines set forth in Table 1: Table 1 Group Components Amount per dose Group 1 NmC conj./alum 10 pg/I mg Group 2 NmB/alum 25 pg/I mg Group 3 NmC polysaccharide/NmB/alum 10 gg/25 pg/i mg Group 4 NmC conj./NmB/alum 10 gg/25 pg/1 mg Group 5 NmC conj./NmB/MF59 10 pg/25 pg/0. 5 ml. Group 6 (n=5) comprised control animals that received alum alone. 20 Eighty guinea pigs were randomised into the groups set forth above and received one of six vaccine combinations. For the data presented in Table 2, each animal received two injections, IM, separated by 28 days. Serum samples were obtained prior to each injection, and 18 days after the second injection. For the data presented in Figures IA and IB, each animal received two immunisations separated by six weeks. Each dose consisted of two 0.25 ml IM injections.

22 Serum samples were obtained immediately prior to each injection, and 14 or 18 days after the second injection. Serum samples were assayed for IgG anticapsular antibody concentrations to NmC (Table 2 and Fig. IA) and for IgG anti-outer membrane vesicle (OMV) antibody concentrations to NmB by 5 ELISA (Fig. I B). The ELISA data were generated in a representative assay of individual animal sera (Table 2) and also expressed as averages from a plurality of assays (Figs. 1A & I B). The summary ELISA data in Table 2 are, therefore, expressed as geometric means. For the ELISA, MCPS-ADH (NmC polysaccharide-adipic acid dihydrazide) conjugate or OMV components was coated onto polystyrene microtiter plates overnight at 4'C, 1 pg/ml, 100 10 pl/well. On each coated plate, 100 l/well of each of a reference standard (i.e., pooled guinea pig serum), a positive control, a negative control, and the serum samples were two-fold serially diluted in a buffer containing 75 pM ammonium thiocyanate, and incubated for two hours at room temperature. Rabbit anti-guinea pig IgG antibody conjugated to peroxidase was added to the wells (100 pl/well). After 2 hours, the colorimetric substrate 3,3',5,5', Tetramethylbenzidine 15 (TMB) (100 pl/well) was added, and the color was developed for 15 minutes. The levels of antibodies to MCPS and to OMV present in the controls and samples were obtained from a standard curve using the reference standard which has an assigned value of 100 ELISA units/ml. The results are shown in Table 2 and Figures IA and I B. The results summarised in Table 2 and Figures IA and I B reveal that the combination vaccine 20 was immunogenic, as measured by NmB and NmC IgG antibody titers, respectively. Table 2: IgG NmC Antibody Responses (GMT) SCN Assay Vaccine Adjuvant Post-i Post-2 NmC Conj. Alum 20.3 1.55 MenB Alum <1 <1 NmC Ps + MenB Alum <1 <1.5 NmC Conj. + MenB Alum 9.5 71 NmC Conj. + MenB MF59 15.2 426 None Alum <1 <1 Figure IA shows that a specific anti-meningococcal B antibody response was induced by the 25 vaccine combinations comprising NmB. Figure lB shows that a specific anti-meningococcal C 23 antibody response was induced by the vaccine combinations comprising NmC. In particular, the antibody response induced by the combination of the NmC conjugate and NmB in the presence of MF59 adjuvant (Group 5) was significantly greater than the antibody response induced by either the NmC conjugate alone (Group 1) or the combination of the NmC conjugate and NmB 5 in the presence of alum (Group 4). When the adjuvant MF59 was present, the antibody titre for the combination vaccine increased approximately six-fold. Example 2: Bactericidal Titres Serum samples were tested for complement-mediated bactericidal titres to MenC strain 60E and 10 MenB strain 44/76. Bactericidal titres were assayed on pooled sera from each group. Bactericidal data were generated using human complement. Components of the assay (i. e. buffer, antibody, complement, and bacteria) were added to sterile, 96-well tissue culture plates with lids (Nunc # 167008). The plates were maintained at room temperature during the assay. To each well, 50 g1 Gey's buffer (Gibco) containing 1% RIA 15 Grade BSA (Sigma), 25 pl of the diluted test antibody, 25 pl of bacteria diluted 1:8000 in Gey's buffer/I% BSA, were sequentially added. Control wells include 1) Gey's buffer/1% BSA and bacteria alone (to determine if the organisms are viable in the diluent alone); 2) a time 0 control containing 75 p1 buffer, 25 R1 heat-inactivated (56*C, 30 min.) human complement, and 25 pl bacteria; and 3) a toxicity control testing the complement at 20% and 40% with buffer and 20 bacteria to verify that the complement source is non-toxic to the test strain. All antibody samples (at the highest concentration assayed) were also tested with heat-inactivated complement to show that a decrease in colony forming units (cfu) in the presence of antibody is complement dependent. After all reagents were added, 22pl was taken from each control well and plated onto Mueller-Hinton agar plates by allowing the sample to run from the top to the bottom of the 25 plate, to determine the cfu in the well at 0 min. The microtitre plates were then covered and sealed with parafilm, and rotated gently for 1 hour at 37*C in a 4% C0 2 incubator. The plates were then removed, and a 22 pl sample from each well plated on Mueller-Hinton agar. The culture plates were incubated for about 18 hours at 37*C, with 4% C02. The colonies were counted, and % survival determined for each test well: % survival = ([cfu of sample well at 60 30 min]/[cfu in the heat inactivated complement control well at time 0 min.]) x 100. Bactericidal titres reported are those which resulted in 50% survival. Results from a single experiment are presented in Table 3. Results are also presented in Figures 2A and 2B, with Figure 2B representing average titres from a plurality of experiments. As the results summarized in Table 3 reveal, the combination vaccine elicited high titers of 35 serum bactericidal antibody for both NmB and NmC. Bactericidal NmC antibody titer was slightly higher for the combination vaccine using MF59 as the carrier, but there was essentially 24 no effect on bactericidal NmB titer using MF59. Interestingly, two-to five-fold higher NmB bactericidal titers were obtained with the combination vaccine than with the NmB vaccine alone. Figure 2A demonstrates that the antibodies directed to meningococcal B induced by the vaccine combinations comprising NmB were bactericidal. Figure 2B demonstrates that the antibodies 5 directed to meningococcal C induced by the vaccine combinations comprising NmC conjugate were also bactericidal. Table 3 NmC (1/titer) NmB (1/titer) Group Vaccine Pre Post-1 Post-2 Pre Post-1 Post-2 NmC conj. + Alum <5 80 >3375 <5 <5 <5 NmB+ Alum <5 <5 15 <5 15 800 NmC Ps + NmB + Alum <5 <5 30 <5 25 1500 NmC Conj. + NmB + Alum <5 25 2000 <5 25 5000 NmC Conj. + NmB + MF59 <5 50 >3375 <5 25 4000 Alum <5 <5 <5 <5 <5 <5 25 Example 3: Comparison ofAlum and MF59 Adjuvants Serum from the animals described above in Figures 1A and I B were compared and MenC and MenB antibody responses generated by NmB/NmC conj. in either alum or MF59 adjuvant were detected as described above in Examples 1 and 2. The results are shown in Table 4: 5 Table 4 Ratios of antibody responses of animals given combination of NmB OMVs + NmC conjugate, with either Al(OH) 3 or MF59 adjuvant Ratio of GMT MF59: GMT AI(OH) 3 Assay 28 days, post-I 18 days, post-2 NmC IgG 1.6 6.0 Bactericidal 1.0 1.2* NmB IgG 0.7 1.4 Bactericidal 0.9 1.4 * pooled sera only tested ** p50.001 These data demonstrate that the antibody response to meningococcus C was approximately 6 10 fold greater in vaccines comprising MF59 adjuvant.

26 Example 4: Comparison of Responses Generated by Combination vs. Monovalent Vaccines Serum from the animals described above in Figures IA and 1 B were compared and MenC and MenB antibody responses generated by NmB/NmC conj. were compared with the antibody responses generated by either the NmB vaccine alone or the NmC conj. alone in alum as 5 described above in Examples I and 2. The results are shown in Table 5: Table 5 Ratios of antibody responses of animals given combination/Al (OH) 3 vs. monovalent/Al(OH) 3 Ratio of GMT combo: GMT mono Assay 28 days, post-1 18 days, post-2 NmC IgG 0.5 0.5 Bactericidal 0.2* 0.7* NmB IgG 1.3 1.2 Bactericidal 1.6 2.8** * pooled sera only tested ** p<O.05 10 These data demonstrate that there is no significant difference in the antibody responses to the components of the NmB/NmC conj. vaccine compared to the responses induced by the respective monovalent vaccines (either NmB or NmC conj.). Example 5 : Addition offurther antigens 15 The NmB/NmC combination is further augmented by adding antigens against other pathogenic organisms (e.g. NspA, HBsAg). Good immune responses are observed against NmB/NmC and against the additional antigens.

27 Example 6: Mixtures of NmB and NmC antigens A trivalent mixture of strain 2996 MenB proteins '919' (e.g. W099/57280 Figure 23 and SEQ IDs 3069-3074 therein), '287' (e.g. Figure 21 of W099/57280 ; also SEQ IDs 3103-3108 therein) and 'ORF1' (e.g. example 77 of W099/24578; see also W099/55873) was used to 5 immunise mice. The experiment was repeated with the addition of NmC conjugate. Aluminium hydroxide was used as adjuvant. Titres measured in a bactericidal assay against the homologous strain and also heterologous MenB strains were as follows: 2996 BZ133 BZ232 1000 MC58 NGH38 Trivalent 2048 2048 4 <4 64 4 + NmC 2048 >32000 4 128 1024 128 10 It will be understood that this application describes the invention by way of example only and modifications may be made whilst remaining within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. An immunogenic composition comprising: (a) NmC oligosaccharide; (b) NmB outer membrane proteoliposomic vesicles; and (c) one or more antigens or immunogenic proteins selected from the group consisting of antigens or immunogenic proteins disclosed in 5 W099/57280 and/or W099/36544 and/or W099/24578 and/or W097/28273 and/or W096/29412 and/or W095/03413 and/or W099/31132, subject to the proviso that subject matter claimed in Australian Patent No. 784375 is disclaimed.

2. The immunogenic composition of claim 1, wherein one or more antigens or 10 immunogenic proteins is selected from the group consisting of antigens or immunogenic proteins disclosed in W099/57280 or an immunogenic fragment of any one or more of said antigens of proteins.

3. The immunogenic composition of claim 2, wherein one or more antigens or 15 immunogenic proteins disclosed in W099/57280 comprises a sequence of W099/57280 selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 148, 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 20 160, 162, 164, 166, 168, 170, 172, 174, 176, 178, 180, 182, 184, 186, 188, 190, 192, 194, 196, 198,200,202,204,206,208,210,212,214,216,218,220,222,224,226,228,230,232,234, 236,238,240,242,244,246,248,250,252,254,256,258,260,262,264,266,268,270,272, 274,276,278,280,282,284,286,288,290,292,294,296,298, 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316, 318,320, 322,324, 326, 328, 330, 332, 334, 336, 338, 340, 342, 344, 346, 348, 25 350, 352, 354, 356, 358, 360, 362, 364, 366, 368, 370, 372, 374, 376, 378, 380, 382, 384, 386, 388, 390, 392, 394,396, 398,400,402,404,406,408,410,412,414,416,418,420,422,424, 426,428,430,432,434,436,438,440,442, 444,446,448,450,452,454,456,458,460,462, 464,466,468,470,472,474,476,478,480, 482,484,486,488,490,492,494,496,498,500, 502, 504,506,508,510,512,514,516,518, 520, 522,524, 526,528, 530,532,534, 536,538, 30 540, 542,544, 546,548,550,552, 554, 556, 558, 560,562, 564,566, 568,570,572, 574,576, 578, 580,582,584,586,588,590,592,594, 596, 598,600, 602,604, 606,608, 610, 612,614, 616, 618,620,622,624,626,628,630,632, 634, 636,638, 640,642, 644, 646,648,650,652, 654,656,658,660,662,664,666,668,670, 672, 674,676, 678, 680, 682, 684,686, 688,690, 692,694,696,698,700,702,704,706,708, 710,712,714,716,718, 720,722,724,726,728, 35 730,732,734,736,738,740,742,744,746, 748,750,752,754, 756, 758,760,762,764,766, 768,770,772,774,776,778,780,782,784, 786,788, 790,792, 794, 796, 798, 800,802, 804, 806, 808,810,812,814,816,818, 820,822, 824, 826, 828,830, 832, 834, 836, 838,840, 842, 29 844, 846, 848, 850, 852, 854, 856, 858, 860, 862, 864, 866, 868, 870, 872, 874, 876, 878, 880, 882, 884, 886, 888, 890, 892, 894, 896, 898, 900, 902, 904, 906, 908, 910, 912, 914, 916, 918, 920, 922, 924, 926, 928, 930, 932, 934, 936, 938, 940, 942, 944, 946, 948, 950, 952, 954, 956, 958, 960, 962, 964, 966, 968, 970, 972, 974, 976, 978, 980, 982, 984, 986, 988, 990, 992, 994, 5 996, 998, 1000, 1002, 1004, 1006, 1008, 1010, 1012, 1014, 1016, 1018, 1020, 1022, 1024, 1026, 1028, 1030, 1032, 1034, 1036, 1038, 1040, 1042, 1044, 1046, 1048, 1050, 1052, 1054, 1056, 1058, 1060, 1062, 1064, 1066, 1068, 1070, 1072, 1074, 1076, 1078, 1080, 1082, 1084, 1086, 1088, 1090, 1092, 1094, 1096, 1098, 1100, 1102, 1104, 1106, 1108, 1110, 1112, 1114, 1116, 1118, 1120, 1122, 1124, 1126, 1128, 1130, 1132, 1134, 1136, 1138, 1140, 1142, 1144, 10 1146, 1148, 1150, 1152, 1154, 1156, 1158, 1160, 1162, 1164, 1166, 1168, 1170, 1172, 1174, 1176, 1178, 1180, 1182, 1184, 1186, 1188, 1190, 1192, 1194, 1196, 1198, 1200, 1202, 1204, 1206, 1208, 1210, 1212, 1214, 1216, 1218, 1220, 1222, 1224, 1226, 1228, 1230, 1232, 1234, 1236, 1238, 1240, 1242, 1244, 1246, 1248, 1250, 1252, 1254, 1256, 1258, 1260, 1262, 1264, 1266, 1268, 1270, 1272, 1274, 1276, 1278, 1280, 1282, 1284, 1286, 1288, 1290, 1292, 1294, 15 1296, 1298, 1300, 1302, 1304, 1306, 1308, 1310, 1312, 1314, 1316, 1318, 1320, 1322, 1324, 1326, 1328, 1330, 1332, 1334, 1336, 1338, 1340, 1342, 1344, 1346, 1348, 1350, 1352, 1354, 1356, 1358, 1360, 1362, 1364, 1366, 1368, 1370, 1372, 1374, 1376, 1378, 1380, 1382, 1384, 1386, 1388, 1390, 1392, 1394, 1396, 1398, 1400, 1402, 1404, 1406, 1408, 1410, 1412, 1414, 1416, 1418, 1420, 1422, 1424, 1426, 1428, 1430, 1432, 1434, 1436, 1438, 1440, 1442, 1444, 20 1446, 1448, 1450, 1452, 1454, 1456, 1458, 1460, 1462, 1464, 1466, 1468, 1470, 1472, 1474, 1476, 1478, 1480, 1482, 1484, 1486, 1488, 1490, 1492, 1494, 1496, 1498, 1500, 1502, 1504, 1506, 1508, 1510, 1512, 1514, 1516, 1518, 1520, 1522, 1524, 1526, 1528, 1530, 1532, 1534, 1536, 1538, 1540, 1542, 1544, 1546, 1548, 1550, 1552, 1554, 1556, 1558, 1560, 1562, 1564, 1566, 1568, 1570, 1572, 1574, 1576, 1578, 1580, 1582, 1584, 1586, 1588, 1590, 1592, 1594, 25 1596, 1598, 1600, 1602, 1604, 1606, 1608, 1610, 1612, 1614, 1616, 1618, 1620, 1622, 1624, 1626, 1628, 1630, 1632, 1634, 1636, 1638, 1640, 1642, 1644, 1646, 1648, 1650, 1652, 1654, 1656, 1658, 1660, 1662, 1664, 1666, 1668, 1670, 1672, 1674, 1676, 1678, 1680, 1682, 1684, 1686, 1688, 1690, 1692, 1694, 1696, 1698, 1700, 1702, 1704, 1706, 1708, 1710, 1712, 1714, 1716, 1718, 1720, 1722, 1724, 1726, 1728, 1730, 1732, 1734, 1736, 1738, 1740, 1742, 1744, 30 1746, 1748, 1750, 1752, 1754, 1756, 1758, 1760, 1762, 1764, 1766, 1768, 1770, 1772, 1774, 1776, 1778, 1780, 1782, 1784, 1786, 1788, 1790, 1792, 1794, 1796, 1798, 1800, 1802, 1804, 1806, 1808, 1810, 1812, 1814, 1816, 1818, 1820, 1822, 1824, 1826, 1828, 1830, 1832, 1834, 1836, 1838, 1840, 1842, 1844, 1846, 1848, 1850, 1852, 1854, 1856, 1858, 1860, 1862, 1864, 1866, 1868, 1870, 1872, 1874, 1876, 1878, 1880, 1882, 1884, 1886, 1888, 1890, 1892, 1894, 35 1896, 1898, 1900, 1902, 1904, 1906, 1908, 1910, 1912, 1914, 1916, 1918, 1920, 1922, 1924, 1926, 1928, 1930, 1932, 1934, 1936, 1938, 1940, 1942, 1944, 1946, 1948, 1950, 1952, 1954, 1956, 1958, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1966, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 30 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024, 2026, 2028, 2030, 2032, 2034, 2036, 2038, 2040, 2042, 2044, 2046, 2048, 2050, 2052, 2054, 2056, 2058, 2060, 2062, 2064, 2066, 2068, 2070, 2072, 2074, 2076, 2078, 2080, 2082, 2084, 2086, 2088, 2090, 2092, 2094, 2096, 2098, 2100, 2102, 2104, 2106, 2108, 2110, 2112, 2114, 2116, 2118, 2120, 2122, 2124, 2126, 2128, 2130, 2132, 2134, 5 2136, 2138, 2140, 2142, 2144, 2146, 2148, 2150, 2152, 2154, 2156, 2158, 2160, 2162, 2164, 2166, 2168, 2170, 2172, 2174, 2176, 2178, 2180, 2182, 2184, 2186, 2188, 2190, 2192, 2194, 2196, 2198, 2200, 2202, 2204, 2206, 2208, 2210, 2212, 2214, 2216, 2218, 2220, 2222, 2224, 2226, 2228, 2230, 2232, 2234, 2236, 2238, 2240, 2242, 2244, 2246, 2248, 2250, 2252, 2254, 2256, 2258, 2260, 2262, 2264, 2266, 2268, 2270, 2272, 2274, 2276, 2278, 2280, 2282, 2284, 10 2286, 2288, 2290, 2292, 2294, 2296, 2298, 2300, 2302, 2304, 2306, 2308, 2310, 2312.2314, 2316, 2318, 2320, 2322, 2324, 2326, 2328, 2330, 2332, 2334, 2336, 2338, 2340, 2342, 2344, 2346, 2348, 2350, 2352, 2354, 2356, 2358, 2360, 2362, 2364, 2366, 2368, 2370, 2372, 2374, 2376, 2378, 2380, 2382, 2384, 2386, 2388, 2390, 2392, 2394, 2396, 2398, 2400, 2402, 2404, 2406, 2408, 2410, 2412, 2414, 2416, 2418, 2420, 2422, 2424, 2426, 2428, 2430, 2432, 2434, 15 2436, 2438, 2440, 2442, 2444, 2446, 2448, 2450, 2452, 2454, 2456, 2458, 2460, 2462, 2464, 2466, 2468, 2470, 2472, 2474, 2476, 2478, 2480, 2482, 2484, 2486, 2488, 2490, 2492, 2494, 2496, 2498, 2500, 2502, 2504, 2506, 2508, 2510, 2512, 2514, 2516, 2518, 2520, 2522, 2524, 2526, 2528, 2530, 2532, 2534, 2536, 2538, 2540, 2542, 2544, 2546, 2548, 2550, 2552, 2554, 2556, 2558, 2560, 2562, 2564, 2566, 2568, 2570, 2572, 2574, 2576, 2578, 2580, 2582, 2584, 20 2586, 2588, 2590, 2592, 2594, 2596, 2598, 2600, 2602, 2604, 2606, 2608, 2610, 2612, 2614, 2616, 2618, 2620, 2622, 2624, 2626, 2628, 2630, 2632, 2634, 2636, 2638, 2640, 2642, 2644, 2646, 2648, 2650, 2652, 2654, 2656, 2658, 2660, 2662, 2664, 2666, 2668, 2670, 2672, 2674, 2676, 2678, 2680, 2682, 2684, 2686, 2688, 2690, 2692, 2694, 2696, 2698, 2700, 2702, 2704, 2706, 2708, 2710, 2712, 2714, 2716, 2718, 2720, 2722, 2724, 2726, 2728, 2730, 2732, 2734, 25 2736, 2738, 2740, 2742, 2744, 2746, 2748, 2750, 2752, 2754, 2756, 2758, 2760, 2762, 2764, 2766, 2768, 2770, 2772, 2774, 2776, 2778, 2780, 2782, 2784, 2786, 2788, 2790, 2792, 2794, 2796, 2798, 2800, 2802, 2804, 2806, 2808, 2810, 2812, 2814, 2816, 2818, 2820, 2822, 2824, 2826, 2828, 2830, 2832, 2834, 2836, 2838, 2840, 2842, 2844, 2846, 2848, 2850, 2852, 2854, 2856, 2858, 2860, 2862, 2864, 2866, 2868, 2870, 2872, 2874, 2876, 2878, 2880, 2882, 2884, 30 2886, 2888, 2890, 2892, 2894, 2896, 2898, 2900, 2902, 2904, 2906, 2908, 2910, 2912, 2914, 2916, 2918, 2920, 2922, 2924, 2926, 2928, 2930, 2932, 2934, 2936, 2938, 2940, 2942, 2944, 2946, 2948, 2950, 2952, 2954, 2956, 2958, 2960, 2962, 2964, 2966, 2968, 2970, 2972, 2974, 2976, 2978, 2980, 2982, 2984, 2986, 2988, 2990, 2992, 2994, 2996, 2998, 3000, 3002, 3004, 3006, 3008, 3010, 3012, 3014, 3016, 3018, 3020, and 3069-3074 thereof, or an antigen or 35 immunogenic protein comprising a sequence that is at least about 50% identical to any one or more of said SEQ ID NOs, and subject to the proviso that when the antigen or immunogenic protein comprises a sequence having at least 50% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1200, 1202 or 1204 of W099/57280 said antigen or immunogenic protein is in combination with one 31 or more other antigens or immunogenic proteins selected from the group consisting of antigens or immunogenic proteins disclosed in W099/57280 and/or W099/36544 and/or W099/24578 and/or W097/28273 and/or W096/29412 and/or W095/03413 and/or W099/31132. 5

4. The immunogenic composition according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the immunogenic composition comprises (a) NmC oligosaccharide; (b) NmB outer membrane protein; and (c) one or more MenB proteins disclosed in W099/57280 or an immunogenic fragment of said one or more MenB proteins. 10

5. The immunogenic composition according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the immunogenic composition comprises (a) NmC oligosaccharide; (b) NmB outer membrane protein; and (c) the MenB protein '919' or an immunogenic fragment of said MenB protein optionally in combination with MenB '287' protein or immunogenic fragment thereof. 15

6. The immunogenic composition according to claim 4 or 5, wherein a MenB protein comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence as disclosed in W099/57280 selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 3069-3074 thereof, or a protein having or comprising a sequence that is at least about 50% identical to any one or more of said SEQ ID NOs, optionally in combination with an antigen or immunogenic protein comprises a sequence having at least 20 50% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1200, 1202 or 1204 of W099/57280.

7. The immunogenic composition of claim 1, wherein one or more antigens or immunogenic proteins is selected from the group consisting of antigens or immunogenic proteins disclosed in W096/29412 or an immunogenic fragment of any one or more of said 25 antigens of proteins.

8. The immunogenic composition of claim 7, wherein one or more antigens or immunogenic proteins disclosed in W096/29412 comprises a sequence of W096/29412 selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1-8 thereof or a protein having or 30 comprising a sequence that is at least about 50% identical to any one or more of said SEQ ID NOs.

9. The immunogenic composition according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the immunogenic composition comprises (a) NmC oligosaccharide; (b) NmB outer membrane protein; and (c) one 32 or more NnB proteins disclosed in W096/29412 or an immunogenic fragment of said one or more NmB proteins.

10. The immunogenic composition according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the 5 immunogenic composition comprises (a) NmC oligosaccharide; (b) NmB outer membrane protein; and (c) NmB protein NspA or an immunogenic fragment thereof.

11. The immunogenic composition according to claim 10, wherein the NspA is in mature form lacking a signal peptide. 10

12. The immunogenic composition according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising one or more protective antigens selected from the group consisting of: a protective antigen against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A; a protective antigen against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W; a protective antigen against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup Y; a 15 protective antigen against Haemophilus influenzae; a protective antigen against pneumococcus; a protective antigen against diphtheria; a protective antigen against tetanus; a protective antigen against whooping cough; a protective antigen against hepatitis B virus (HBV); and a protective antigen against Helicobacter pylori. 20

13. The immunogenic composition of claim 12, wherein a protective antigen against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A and.or a protective antigen against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W and/or a protective antigen against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup Y and/or a protective antigen against Haemophilus influenzae and/or a protective antigen against pneumococcus is a polysaccharide antigen. 25

14. The immunogenic composition of claim 12, wherein a protective antigen against diphtheria is a diphtheria toxoid.

15. The immunogenic composition of claim 12, wherein a protective antigen against tetanus 30 is a tetanus toxoid.

16. The immunogenic composition of claim 12, wherein a protective antigen against whooping cough is selected from the group consisting of pertussis holotoxin (PT) and filamentous haemagglutinin (FHA). 35 33

17. The immunogenic composition according to any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein a protective antigen against whooping cough is selected from the group consisting of pertactin, agglutinogen 2 and agglutinogen 3. 5

18. The immunogenic composition of claim 12, wherein a protective antigen against HBV is a HBV surface antigen or HBV core antigen.

19. The immunogenic composition of claim 12, wherein a protective antigen against Helicobacterpylori is selected from CagA, VacA, NAP, HopX, HopY and urease. 10

20. The immunogenic composition according to any one of claims I to 19, wherein NmC oligosaccharide is conjugated to a carrier.

21. The immunogenic composition of claim 20, wherein the carrier is a protein. 15

22. The immunogenic composition of claim 20 or 21, wherein the carrier is CRM 1 97 .

23. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the composition further comprises aluminium hydroxide or MF59. 20

24. The immunogenic composition according to any one of claims I to 23 when produced by a process comprising admixing NmC oligosaccharide with NmB outer membrane proteoliposomic vesicles and with one or more antigens or immunogenic proteins selected from the group consisting of antigens or immunogenic proteins disclosed in W099/57280 and/or 25 W099/36544 and/or W099/24578 and/or W097/28273 and/or W096/29412 and/or W095/03413 and/or W099/31132, or an immunogenic fragment of any one or more of said antigens of proteins.

25. Use of an immunogenic composition according to any one of claims I to 24 in medicine. 30

26. Use of an immunogenic composition according to any one of claims I to 24 in the preparation of a vaccine.

27. A prophylactic or therapeutic method of inducing an immune response at least to NmB 35 and NmC in a subject, said method comprising administering an immunologically effective amount of the immunogenic composition according to any one of claims 1 to 24 to a subject in need thereof. 34

28. The immunogenic composition according to any one of claims I to 24 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings and/or examples.

29. The use according to claim 25 or 26 substantially as hereinbefore described with 5 reference to the accompanying drawings and/or examples.

30. The method of claim 27 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings and/or examples. 10 DATED this TWENTY NINTH day of JANUARY, 2010 Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics S.r.l. By Patent Attorneys for the Applicant: FB Rice & CO